Pages

Saturday, June 30, 2007

PHOTO: An exhibition debate held during the 2004 International Debate Academy

This debate took place at the 2004 International Debate Academy held in Ormuz, Slovenia. This is the final round held in the city hall (or castle, as it seemed). The debate features students from Russia, Croatia, Slovenia and Bulgaria. The topic was: European Union expansion should be never ending. The format is British Parliamentary.

The team of Simon Grabrovec and Mateja Peter from Slovenia were judged to be the best overall team.

For information about future International Debate Academy sessions to be held in November contact bojana.skrt@siol.net .

There are three ways to watch this video, in the order we suggest you use:1. Right click on the link to download, drag it into your iTunes application, watch it in full screen mode. Once it is downloaded you can watch it now, save it for later, or put it on another computer.2. Right click on the link to download and then watch it using your QuickTime application.3. Click on the link and watch it in a small browser window while it downloads.

Here is the high school final round from the Asian Debate Institute held at Kyung Hee University in Seoul, Republic of Korea in August 2005.

There are three ways to watch this video, in the order we suggest you use:1. Right click on the link to download, drag it into your iTunes application, watch it in full screen mode. Once it is downloaded you can watch it now, save it for later, or put it on another computer.2. Right click on the link to download and then watch it using your QuickTime application.3. Click on the link and watch it in a small browser window while it downloads.

This public debate was held at the 2004 National Debate Tournament held in Spokane, Washington at Gonzaga University. The topic was, “The McCain-Lieberman solution to global warming is worse than the problem.” The debate is between leading global warming academic skeptic, Robert Balling of Arizona State University, and two college debaters, Brad Hall of Wake Forest University and Michael Klinger of Harvard University. The debate was organized by Gordon Mitchell of the University of Pittsburgh.

There are three ways to watch this video, in the order we suggest you use:1. Right click on the link to download, drag it into your iTunes application, watch it in full screen mode. Once it is downloaded you can watch it now, save it for later, or put it on another computer.2. Right click on the link to download and then watch it using your QuickTime application.3. Click on the link and watch it in a small browser window while it downloads.

PHOTO: Steve at International Debate Academy Slovenia with USA ambassador Robertson left and EU representative Erwan Fouéré right

This talk was given at the 2003 World Debate Institute held at the University of Vermont. The speaker is Steve Llano now of St. Johns University in NYC. The subject concerns how to weigh issues and deliver a strategically effective last speech for your side in a parliamentary debate.There are three ways to watch this video, in the order we suggest you use:1. Right click on the link to download, drag it into your iTunes application, watch it in full screen mode. Once it is downloaded you can watch it now, save it for later, or put it on another computer.2. Right click on the link to download and then watch it using your QuickTime application.3. Click on the link and watch it in a small browser window while it downloads.

This talk was given at the 2003 World Debate Institute held at the University of Vermont. The speaker is John Meany of the Claremont Colleges. The subject concerns how to use humor and heckling during parliamentary debates. This is a very entertaining lecture.

There are three ways to watch this video, in the order we suggest you use:1. Right click on the link to download, drag it into your iTunes application, watch it in full screen mode. Once it is downloaded you can watch it now, save it for later, or put it on another computer.2. Right click on the link to download and then watch it using your QuickTime application.3. Click on the link and watch it in a small browser window while it downloads.

This is a sample debate in the World Schools format as an instructional model. It was produced by the Korea Debate Association.

Here is what they have to say about the sample debate and the other materials:Prepared by Peejay Garcia, Coach, Korean National Debate TeamThe debate you are about to view is an official World Schools Debate Championship (WSDC) preliminary round debate, held during the 2005 WSDC. It is between England (on the Proposition side) and South Korea (on the Opposition side). The topic is “This House would use affirmative action in response to historical injustice.”Please use this debate to test your skills as an adjudicator. We have included the actual oral adjudication of the debate by the Chair of the adjudication panel, which is shown after the Proposition reply speaker speaks. Please do NOT play that portion of the debate until you have completed your own adjudication, scored the debate, and decided the winner. Only then should you view that adjudication. It is there to serve as a guide for how judges might deliver the news of a decision.

PHOTO: Justin Green of Kansas State University, Adam Lee of Vermont Law School and Maxwell Schnurer of Humboldt State University, participants in the debate.

This debate was held at the 2003 World Debate Institute which took place at the University of Vermont. The topic of the debate was, what role should violence pay in social change? The format was unique in that there were three sides: Violence is a necessary element of social change (Adam Lee), non-violence should be the exclusive method for social change (Justin Green) and that violence should be used but only in certain situations (Maxwell Schnurer). Each debater had an opening speech, then there was a very lengthy question period for the audience to get involved, then each debater gave a summary speech. The involvement of the audience was excellent.

This video is in a large RealPlayer file. You may need to download the entire thing, then click on it to watch it with RealPlayer.

PHOTO: Alfred Snider speaks at the Speaking and Thinking a Better World Conference in 2006 in Slovenia

This talk was given at the 2003 World Debate Institute held at the University of Vermont. The speaker is Alfred Snider of the University of Vermont, WDI director. The subject concerns how to prepare for successful parliamentary debating by using a number of different drills and exercises to improve skills, analysis and performance.

There are three ways to watch this video, in the order we suggest you use:1. Right click on the link to download, drag it into your iTunes application, watch it in full screen mode. Once it is downloaded you can watch it now, save it for later, or put it on another computer.2. Right click on the link to download and then watch it using your QuickTime application.3. Click on the link and watch it in a small browser window while it downloads.

PHOTO: Steve Woods makes a presentation at the Speaking and Thinking a Better World Conference in 2006 in Slovenia

This lecture was delivered at the 2003 World Debate Institute at the University of Vermont. It is delivered by Steve Woods of Western Washington University. Steve covers not only traditional counterplan issues, but also how these concepts are creatively applied in parliamentary debate situations. This is not just a replay of a policy debate lecture.

There are three ways to watch this video, in the order we suggest you use:1. Right click on the link to download, drag it into your iTunes application, watch it in full screen mode. Once it is downloaded you can watch it now, save it for later, or put it on another computer.2. Right click on the link to download and then watch it using your QuickTime application.3. Click on the link and watch it in a small browser window while it downloads.

This lecture was delivered at the 2003 World Debate Institute at the University of Vermont. It is delivered by John Meany of the Claremont Colleges. John covers not only traditional burden of proof issues, but also more generally how do you determine who needs toi prove what, how it is done, and how to test instances of supposed proof.

There are three ways to watch this video, in the order we suggest you use:1. Right click on the link to download, drag it into your iTunes application, watch it in full screen mode. Once it is downloaded you can watch it now, save it for later, or put it on another computer.2. Right click on the link to download and then watch it using your QuickTime application.3. Click on the link and watch it in a small browser window while it downloads.

Tuesday, June 19, 2007

PHOTO: Korry Harvey, left, with Steve Woods, a photo taken by me in 2003 out in Bellingham, Washington on Steve’s home turf

This lecture was delivered at the 2002 World Debate Institute held at the University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont. In this lecture Steve Woods, Western Washington University, talks about how to execute the first negative rebuttal more effectively in a policy debate.

There are three ways to watch this video, in the order we suggest you use:1. Right click on the link to download, drag it into your iTunes application, watch it in full screen mode. Once it is downloaded you can watch it now, save it for later, or put it on another computer.2. Right click on the link to download and then watch it using your QuickTime application.3. Click on the link and watch it in a small browser window while it downloads.

PHOTO: David Berube outlines the conspiracy for those who do not understand

This lecture was delivered at the 2001 World Debate Institute held at the University of Vermont. This lecture is by David Berube of the University of South Carolina, and follows on after his published articles about the critical argument process and gives debaters new ideas as to how to answer these arguments.

There are three ways to watch this video, in the order we suggest you use:1. Right click on the link to download, drag it into your iTunes application, watch it in full screen mode. Once it is downloaded you can watch it now, save it for later, or put it on another computer.2. Right click on the link to download and then watch it using your QuickTime application.3. Click on the link and watch it in a small browser window while it downloads.

PHOTO: Helen Morgan Parmett (with Nakobe) speaks at a speak out event at the University of Vermont

This lecture was delivered at the 2001 World Debate Institute held at the University of Vermont. This lecture concerns different approaches to the process of argumentative critique. At the time Helen was a graduate student at the University of Pittsburgh, and she soon went on to be a faculty member and debate coach at the University of Vermont.

There are three ways to watch this video, in the order we suggest you use:1. Right click on the link to download, drag it into your iTunes application, watch it in full screen mode. Once it is downloaded you can watch it now, save it for later, or put it on another computer.2. Right click on the link to download and then watch it using your QuickTime application.3. Click on the link and watch it in a small browser window while it downloads.

This lecture was delivered at the 2001 World Debate Institute held at the University of Vermont. Steve Woods of Western Washington University presents his unique and insightful views on topicality.

There are three ways to watch this video, in the order we suggest you use:1. Right click on the link to download, drag it into your iTunes application, watch it in full screen mode. Once it is downloaded you can watch it now, save it for later, or put it on another computer.2. Right click on the link to download and then watch it using your QuickTime application.3. Click on the link and watch it in a small browser window while it downloads.

This lecture was delivered at the 2001 World Debate Institute held at the University of Vermont. Ken Johnson, director of debate at the University of Rochester, talks about tagging -- how to turn a piece of evidence into an argument.

There are three ways to watch this video, in the order we suggest you use:1. Right click on the link to download, drag it into your iTunes application, watch it in full screen mode. Once it is downloaded you can watch it now, save it for later, or put it on another computer.2. Right click on the link to download and then watch it using your QuickTime application.3. Click on the link and watch it in a small browser window while it downloads.

This is a video documentary made by the Essex County Council UK to document their role in the European Youth Parliament program sponsored by the EU. Many thanks to John Maynard, Essex youth worker, for his part in this project and in supplying me with the footage when we met in Tallinn, Estonia.

This 45 minute program documents the role that four British young people had on their journey to other European countries -- Slovenia, Bulgaria and Romania. They start in Slovenia but the main action is in Bulgaria and Romania. If you work with young people or are a young person this film will interest you.

There are three ways to watch this video, in the order we suggest you use:1. Right click on the link to download, drag it into your iTunes application, watch it in full screen mode. Once it is downloaded you can watch it now, save it for later, or put it on another computer.2. Right click on the link to download and then watch it using your QuickTime application.3. Click on the link and watch it in a small browser window while it downloads.

PHOTO: John Meany during a discussion at the debate conference in Istanbul

This lecture was delivered at the 2001 World Debate Institute held at the University of Vermont. John Meany of the Claremont Colleges is one of the most creative and rigorous minds in modern global debate. He transcends formats to provide important insights that any and all can benefit from.

There are three ways to watch this video, in the order we suggest you use:1. Right click on the link to download, drag it into your iTunes application, watch it in full screen mode. Once it is downloaded you can watch it now, save it for later, or put it on another computer.2. Right click on the link to download and then watch it using your QuickTime application.3. Click on the link and watch it in a small browser window while it downloads.

PHOTO: Val Renegar of San Diego State University, photo from the school website

Thius lecture was delivered at the 2001 World Debate Institute at the University of Vermont. An extremely successful debater and coach, Val shares some of her secrets about how to give an excellent 2NR. Take notes!

There are three ways to watch this video, in the order we suggest you use:1. Right click on the link to download, drag it into your iTunes application, watch it in full screen mode. Once it is downloaded you can watch it now, save it for later, or put it on another computer.2. Right click on the link to download and then watch it using your QuickTime application.3. Click on the link and watch it in a small browser window while it downloads.

PHOTO: Gordie Miller, now of the University of Rochester, coaching for the University of Vermont in 2003

This lecture was delivered at the 2001 World Debate Institute held at the University of Vermont. Gordie Miller was a very talented debater (top speaker in the East his last year) and has gone on to be a truly outstanding coach and judge. Lots of good advice here.

There are three ways to watch this video, in the order we suggest you use:1. Right click on the link to download, drag it into your iTunes application, watch it in full screen mode. Once it is downloaded you can watch it now, save it for later, or put it on another computer.2. Right click on the link to download and then watch it using your QuickTime application.3. Click on the link and watch it in a small browser window while it downloads.

Monday, June 18, 2007

This lecture was delivered at the 2001 World Debate Institute held at the University of Vermont. This is perhaps my most popular lecture. Everybody knows it is important but very few people talk about exactly how to do it. This lecture has been given on four different continents. This one was directed at policy debaters but it applies to all debaters.

There are three ways to watch this video, in the order we suggest you use:1. Right click on the link to download, drag it into your iTunes application, watch it in full screen mode. Once it is downloaded you can watch it now, save it for later, or put it on another computer.2. Right click on the link to download and then watch it using your QuickTime application.3. Click on the link and watch it in a small browser window while it downloads.

This lecture was presented at the 2001 World Debate Institute at the University of Verfmont. It was delivered by Maxwell Schnurer (then of Marist College and now at Humboldt State University in California) and Jason Jarvis (then of Arizona State University and now of Kyung Hee University in Korea. These two are an informative and informative pair.

There are three ways to watch this video, in the order we suggest you use:1. Right click on the link to download, drag it into your iTunes application, watch it in full screen mode. Once it is downloaded you can watch it now, save it for later, or put it on another computer.2. Right click on the link to download and then watch it using your QuickTime application.3. Click on the link and watch it in a small browser window while it downloads.

PHOTO: Jethro Hayman, now director of NEKINFO, see http://www.nekinfo.com/about.html

This lecture was given at the 2001 World Debate Institute held at the University of Vermont. Jethro was at that time the director of debate at Cornell University. Jethro is always entertaining and informative.

There are three ways to watch this video, in the order we suggest you use:1. Right click on the link to download, drag it into your iTunes application, watch it in full screen mode. Once it is downloaded you can watch it now, save it for later, or put it on another computer.2. Right click on the link to download and then watch it using your QuickTime application.3. Click on the link and watch it in a small browser window while it downloads.

This panel of international debate trainers took place at the World Debate Institute at the University of Vermont in 2001. The panelists included: Marc Whitmore, English Speaking Union UK, Tomislav Kargacin, Free Debate Club of Novi Sad Serbia, John Meany, Claremont Colleges USA, Maxwell Schnurer, Marist College USA, Benito Escobar, Universidad Diego Portales Chile.

There are three ways to watch this video, in the order we suggest you use:1. Right click on the link to download, drag it into your iTunes application, watch it in full screen mode. Once it is downloaded you can watch it now, save it for later, or put it on another computer.2. Right click on the link to download and then watch it using your QuickTime application.3. Click on the link and watch it in a small browser window while it downloads.

Lecture at the 2001 World Debate Institute at the University of Vermont. Gordie Miller, now of Rochester but previously from Vermont and Arkansas State and Cornell, delivers this short and concise talk about how to do it right.

Brilliantly executed by the late Robert Branham of Bates College and two of his students, Fawn Johnson and Julie Morrison. This short video transposes political footage from that period with the commercial advertising of the 1950’s and the reality of global suffering.

PHOTO; Joe Ramsey, a member of the winning team, caught in the Vermont debate office at Huber House. Joe married Vermont debater Casey Gervais.

The picture is a bit grainy and the light is a bit low, but the sound is good and you can hear this debate pretty clearly. Fort Hays State University defeated Michigan State University. I did think that the constructive speech by CalumMatheson was one of the best I have ever heard,

Recorded in 1999, this sample debate has not aged very much. It is simple and fairly conversational so students new to debate can follow it and understand it. There are planned weaknesses that new students should be able to identify.

This debate is about mandatory school uniforms and uses the 1999-2000 topic about academic achievement.

A public debate held at the World Debate Institute in August of 2000. The debaters are (proposition) Judd Legum of Claremont and Jethro Hayman of Cornell, along with (opposition) Marc Whitmore of the English Speaking Union and Terry McKnight of Forestworld.com. They have all moved on now to bigger and better things, but these were the affiliations at the time. About 50 minutes total.

This is a very good debate. I especially thought Judd’s last speech was particularly excellent.

PHOTO: Berube (left) and Snider during the debate about debate held in Prague.

This debate took place in October 2001 in Prague, Czech Republic at the International Debate Education Association Conference. The topic was, “Debate should be a part of the secondary school curriculum.” Affirmative was David Berube of the University of South Carolina, the negative was Alfred Snider of the University of Vermont. Because Snider was advocating a position he did not believe in he assumed the persona of John Smith, the headmaster of a private boys’ school. The debate runs about 50 minutes and includes questions from the audience.

PHOTO: Berube (left) and Snider during the debate about debate held in Prague.

This debate took place in October 2001 in Prague, Czech Republic at the International Debate Education Association Conference. The topic was, “Debate should be a part of the secondary school curriculum.” Affirmative was David Berube of the University of South Carolina, the negative was Alfred Snider of the University of Vermont. Because Snider was advocating a position he did not believe in he assumed the persona of John Smith, the headmaster of a private boys’ school. The debate runs about 50 minutes and includes questions from the audience.

Sunday, June 17, 2007

This is the final round from the 2002 TorneoHispanoamericanode Debate held at UniversidadInteramericana in Baymon, Puerto Rico. The teams were Universidad Santiago deCompostela (Spain) and Universidad Central (Chile). I am told this was a good debate. I was there but my Spanish was insufficient to render a judgment. Click to view or right click to save to your hard drive:http://www.uvm.edu/~debate/watch/pr02finalsspainchile.m4v

This speak out occurred in April of 2003. The focus was on war and militarism. It was planned and publicized and then there was a fierce pouring rainstorm that lasted all day. It was regrouped and relocated on the porch of 475 Main Street (Huber House) where the debate office is. We have a speak out every year and it is good for us as well as good for the community. There are THREE PARTS and each is about THIRTY MINUTES long.

Here it is, the CBS news story about urban debate leagues that focuses on one school in the Baltimore Urban Debate League. Very interesting footage. Everyone involved with promoting debate needs to see this video.

Thanks to the National Association of Urban Debate Leagues (http://urbandebate.org/ ) for the original of this video.

This lecture was delivered by Val Renegar of San Diego State University at the 2001 World Debate Institute college policy debate workshop held at the University of Vermont. There is a lot more to debating than what happens in the debate round.

This lecture was delivered by Jason Jarvis, formerly of Emory and Arizona State, now at Korea Development Institute Graduate School of Public Policy and Management in Korea at the 2001 World Debate Institute college policy debate workshop held at the University of Vermont.

This debate took place in 2003 at the World Debate Institute. The proposition team is from the Royal Military College of Canada (Rhea Burke and Ron Porter) versus two Latin American debaters America Tatiana Novoa (Universidad Americana Nicaragua) and Roberto Mateu (Universidad Catolico Andres Bello Venezuela).

The Jersey Urban Debate League (JUDL) is an extremely successful partnership between communities, citizens, schools and the non-profit sector. They have formed a powerful partnership with the Newark and surrounding school systems to create a real success story. Their new video tells that story.

I have worked with JUDL administrators, teachers and especially students for a number of years and have found them to be serious, creative and downright charming.

This is a good example of strong Spanish language debating. It was an exhibition debate held at the University of Vermont at the World Debate Institute in 2003.

TOPIC: The OAS should act to counterbalance the USA in Latin American affairs.

The debaters were:Government - Christian Ketterer, Chile & Roberto Mateu, VenezuelaOpposition - Tatiana America Novoa, Nicaragua & Carlos Varela, Puerto RicoThe Novoa family has a lot of debating talent in it, as you can see by watching America’s sister Victoria in the other Spanish language debate posted recently. America was the top speaker at the international Spanish language debate championship after WDI 2003.

This is a lecture I gave at the 2001 World Debate Institute. Various affirmative teams had used an “ironic” approach to the topic, going overboard by arguing that the answer to poverty in Africa was to expand McDonald’s restaurants, and Texas had used Swift’s ironic piece “A Modest Proposal” as well. I am always excited by and interested in new argumentative approaches, so I threw myself into doing some thinking and some research. This lecture is the result. I am not opposed to ironic approaches in debating, but I do want to have a debate about it instead of just hearing the other team say “You can’t do that!”

Taped at the 2nd Torneo Hispanoamerican de Debate held in Puerto Rico in 2002, this debate features four excellent speakers and performers from Universidad Santiago de Compostela in Spain http://www.usc.es/ and Universidad Americana of Nicaragua http://www.uam.edu.ni/ . Nicaragua was the winner.

Video Rights Statement

If there is a video here that was posted without your permission, let me know and I will be glad to take it down. We attempt to get full permission from everyone involved. You can even change your mind years later. Let me know how I can serve you, because your video content belongs to you. alfred.snider@uvm.edu

Video Archive Here

Debate Video

Here you will find a wide assortment of debating related videos, including debates, lectures, discussions, speeches and other material dealing with debating in all different styles and formats.

Use the search function to find more of what you want in our huge library.

Between February 2009 and May 2011 we have served over 2.3 million debate videos to users.

Recent Debate Videos at Vimeo

Visitor Origin

About Me

I am the Director of the World Debate Institute and the Edwin Lawrence Professor of Forensics, University of Vermont. I teach argumentation, persuasion, debate and related courses. I have: 40+ years experience, taught in 44 countries, trained from 51 countries, managed international conferences, hosted many debate tournaments, published or edited over 50 books, received many national and international awards for debate coaching and training, hosted 480+ television programs, done radio for 17 years, managed many busy websites (debate.uvm.edu), and used virtual reality for debate. At Brown University I was third at the USA National Debate Tournament and second at the USA National Tournament of Champions in 1972.